Chapter 003: How was I to know that my uncle was like this? Why should I be any different from everyone else

Chang Chenghuai, carrying a large bundle of dry branches, grinned and said: "It's nothing, it's not that heavy."

After finishing with Huai Zi, he continued his actions. The kitchen knife was heavy, but although Huai Zi was only nine years old, he cut with remarkable skill, clearly indicating that he often engaged in this task. Meanwhile, Xing Er and Shan Zi did not take a break; they poured the freshly caught snails from the backpack, preparing to smash the snails to extract the meat

The three children who had just returned home had not yet put down the heavy burdens on their backs. Upon seeing Chang Xile sitting in the courtyard, they all approached him with excitement and said, "Uncle, are you feeling better?"

Xing'er quickly pulled him back, saying, "The older brothers and sisters are carrying a lot of things, so don't block the way."

The person responsible for finding the snails said: "It's alright, it's enough for our chickens. Our chickens are now only about the size of a fist, so they don't eat much."

This ... ...

However, considering the current economic situation of this household, even if there are chili peppers, it is impossible to realize the recipes that bring joy to the heart in the short term, as they require too much oil! In an era of such advanced productivity, there are still unscrupulous merchants who, in order to cut costs, use gutter oil without conscience, making the world feel that oil is even more expensive.

No, it is not that small; it is generally elongated. Chang Xile used a snail to dip in water and began to draw on the ground

How did you collect so many river snails? Are we going to eat them tonight

Huai Zi looked carefully and shook his head, "Did you see it in the county, Uncle? Our Taoyuan Village doesn't have such a thing. How about we wait for Grandpa to come back and ask him?"

Eldest brother, second sister, third brother, you have returned!

Chang was delighted to see a ground full of snails, and was instantly taken aback. No wonder the backs of the two little creatures he had just seen were bent over, with Huaizi having to support them from the side

It is spicy to eat, usually red in color

Cao Ersao stepped forward, "Mother, it is I. Since we have seen Uncle Da, I thought we would be dining together and that there would be no need for special preparations."

It took me a moment to react to the joy of books, and I was just about to say how wasteful this is! The words were on the tip of my tongue when I suddenly realized that this is not modern; wild field snails have become a rare commodity

Have we run out of our family's cattle as well

However, everyone is quite accustomed to it and does not feel that anything is amiss. Although Chang Xile is not used to it at first, she does not think it is a big deal. One must adapt to local customs; who has the conditions to be picky? Moreover, although it is early summer now, the countryside is still quite cool in the evening, and it is rather warm sitting around the fire pit.

On that evening, Chang Xile did not eat alone in the room, but instead shared a meal with everyone around the fire pit

Snails are a wonderful ingredient; when cooked properly, they have an excellent flavor, especially the broth, which is quite authentic, and they can also be considered a meat dish

Forget it, let's talk about it later. Although Chang Xile really wanted to eat, he couldn't use the hard-earned food brought back by the children for his own indulgence. He suddenly remembered a question, "Do we have any chili peppers at home?"

The Chang family is large, so the children cannot sit at the table. Besides those who need to be fed, everyone else has to pick up dishes and eat beside the table. Being able to sit at the table signifies that one has grown up. Moreover, there is no rule in the Chang family that women cannot sit at the table and must eat in the kitchen.

Old Granny Sun had no confusion; tears immediately fell down her face as she grasped Chang Xile's hand and said, "My child, you are so understanding; it is your parents who lack ability..."

Upon hearing this, Wang Dasao quickly tugged at Cao Ersao's sleeve and gave her a meaningful glance, which prevented Cao Ersao from finishing her sentence

Children of the poor take on responsibilities early. Although in a previous life I often experienced joy, I was always unwell, unable to run or jump, and had very few opportunities to go out in recent years. At least I had no worries about food and clothing, unlike these children who live such difficult lives, facing endless chores every day and struggling to achieve even the most basic need of being full.

It's nothing, I need to hurry and chop this pig's food. I have to start cooking it soon; if I delay, those guys mhetushucomcom will start causing a ruckus again. This creature is quite delicate; if I'm late, it will lose a few taels of meat. We only have one pig left now, so we can't afford any mistakes

Several children immediately pursed their lips and smiled, and Zao'er said: "This is for feeding the chickens"

Old Lady Sun wanted to say something else, but Chang Xile quickly interjected, "Mother, how can I be the only one not eating together with everyone? It makes it hard for me to enjoy my meal."

Hearing a noise at the door, Yang Zi peeked out and immediately jumped up, excitedly rushing over.

Old Third Chang shot an unhappy glance over, and although Sister-in-law Cao was reluctant, she had never openly defied her in-laws. She quickly slapped herself on the face, saying, "Look at my mouth, dear parents, I didn't mean it that way. It's not that I am unwilling to give my younger uncle good food; after all these years, would I still care about such a small matter? It's just that there really isn't anything left at home. No matter how capable I am, I can't conjure something out of nothing."

Dinner was quite simple, consisting of pancakes made from rice bran and soybean dregs, accompanied by a single cucumber and a pot of clear soup with blanched greens. Chang Xile observed that when Granny Sun added oil, she merely dipped her chopsticks into a bit of lard and stirred it into the soup pot, and the same went for the salt. Chang Xile used to often prepare vegetable soup this way, believing that this method allowed one to truly appreciate the original flavor of the vegetables, which was very refreshing. However, this was based on a table full of rich and greasy dishes, and now there was only this one dish, making her feel as if she would turn entirely green from it. Chang Xile used to often prepare vegetable soup this way, believing that this method allowed one to truly appreciate the original flavor of the vegetables, which was very refreshing. However, this was based on a table full of rich and greasy dishes, and now there was only this one dish, making her feel as if she would turn entirely green from it.

Huai Zi arranged the firewood neatly, not even taking a moment to catch his breath, and went to the kitchen to fetch a knife and a dustpan. In the yard, he began to cut the jujubes and the pig vegetables brought back by Shan Zi. Chang Xi couldn't help but feel tired for Huai Zi, who in his previous life had only been in the fourth or fifth grade of elementary school, and said, "There’s no need to rush with the pig vegetables; you should take a moment to drink some water and take it easy."

Several children looked at each other and asked, "What is chili pepper?"

But Granny Sun had already heard it, and she jumped up directly, pointing at Sister Cao Er and cursing loudly, "You foul-mouthed one, spewing nothing but nonsense!"

Is it easy to find river snails

Seeing this, Granny Sun said no more. The family finally settled down to begin their dinner, with only the sound of chopsticks and bowls clinking. Although there were no words exchanged, everyone understood that after tonight, some things had already changed.

Huaizi: "Uncle, would you like to eat? If you want to eat, just take out half and soak it. After a couple of days in the soil, you will be able to eat it."

Huai Zi thought for a moment, "Is it the dogwood that my uncle mentioned?"

Cao Ersao pursed her lips and said, "How would I know that the little uncle is like this, wanting to be different from everyone else..."

Now, only chickens the size of a fist remain, indicating that all the larger chickens have been processed. Before the original body was injured, every time I returned home, there would be a flock of chickens flying around, but now they are nowhere to be seen. It seems they have all been sold to raise money for the original body's medical treatment. The remaining livestock are too small to fetch a good price; had it not been for his arrival, these little creatures might not have been able to survive. Chang Xile sighed; this family has truly been exceptionally good to the original body, no wonder the original body has been so attached to this family, always feeling indebted. The remaining livestock are too small to fetch a good price; had it not been for his arrival, these little creatures might not have been able to survive. Chang Xile sighed; this family has truly been exceptionally good to the original body, no wonder the original body has been so attached to this family, always feeling indebted.

Upon seeing this, Granny Sun immediately expressed her dissatisfaction, "Where is Xiao Wu's meal? Who is responsible for this today?"

Chang Xile was so astonished because neither his original memories nor the meals he had eaten in the past few days were this meager. Over the past few days, he had at least been sustaining himself on vegetable and brown rice porridge, along with one egg each day.

This sentence contains several meanings. Chang Xile has understood, even if he is no longer in the situation. Regardless of how selflessly this family has treated him in the past, things have changed significantly now, and it is not difficult to understand the thoughts of Sister Cao. Chang Xile does not feel any discomfort because of this, nor does he feel the coldness of the world. After all, if he were to think from another's perspective, even if he would not feel the same way as Sister Cao, he would still inevitably feel some discomfort in his heart. This family has invested too much in him; to put it bluntly, it is like a vampire that has drained this family dry. Other brothers have also established their own families, yet they have suffered for him, not to mention the hardships endured by their wives and children over the years. In the past, perhaps everyone did not mind, because they all had a hope. However, if he continues as before, without any contribution, while occupying the best resources of this family, even the strongest relationships will eventually fall apart.

Chang Xile saw the situation and quickly said: "You all put down your things first"

Huai Zi raised his head, revealing a big smile with teeth but no eyes. He had a very simple and honest appearance, with thick lips and a somewhat square face. Although he was not particularly good-looking, he gave off an impression of being straightforward and earnest.

Mother, you need not say that; it is I who feel ashamed before you. Moreover, if everyone can eat, why should I not be able to? I am much better now, and I know you care for me, but I am well and do not need to be treated like a patient

Changsun Changcheng Huai is only nine years old this year, yet he is already a little expert at work, as he is primarily responsible for gathering firewood for the family. The other two, Chang Zaor and Chang Chengshan, aged seven and six respectively, have also taken on the heavy responsibilities of the household, as they are in charge of feeding the livestock raised at home

In Taoyuan Village, cooking is done using a fire pit, and in the Chang family's fire pit, there is a three-legged iron rack placed in the center to hold the pot. This detail reflects that the Chang family used to live relatively well. Iron is quite expensive in this world; some families do not even have an iron pot and still use clay pots for cooking. These clay pots can easily explode if not handled carefully. If some families cannot afford an iron pot, they are also reluctant to buy the iron rack for the stove, opting instead for stone constructions.

Although Chang Xile had anticipated this long ago, receiving a definitive answer made him feel an even greater weight of responsibility on his shoulders

Chang Xile was momentarily at a loss for words. According to the memories of the original self, the Chang family raised quite a number of chickens, and he had at least one egg to eat every day. To ensure a steady supply, even during the winter when the chickens were less inclined to lay eggs, the Chang family would keep a few hens that could still lay eggs in the relatively warm kitchen. Once those hens stopped laying, they would sell them in the county for money, only keeping them for their own consumption during the New Year.

When did the fifth one eat like us? You lazy woman, you just want to slack off all day, too lazy to even do this little thing. If it weren't for Zaor being able to work, would you have let our whole family starve?

Several children suddenly fell silent, looking at each other in silence

When several children had taken good care of the livestock and prepared dinner, the adults gradually returned under the moonlight. Everyone was very pleased to see that Chang Xile was already able to sit in the yard, especially Chang Laosan and Granny Sun, who felt that all the day's hardships had dissipated upon seeing Chang Xile in this state

Chang Xile had already lost hope upon hearing this. Although his original self had little memory of food, for him, eating was merely a means to avoid starvation. However, he was quite clear that there was no spiciness in the usual meals. Chang Xile loved spicy food, but due to his poor health, he could only watch others eat with longing. His memories of snail recipes were all about the spicy, sour, and fragrant series. Now, without worrying about whether the snails were fished out from a polluted ditch, and with a body that could be nurtured back to health, he still couldn't enjoy spicy food, which was truly frustrating. His memories of snail recipes were all about the spicy, sour, and fragrant series. Now, without worrying about whether the snails were fished out from a polluted ditch, and with a body that could be nurtured back to health, he still couldn't enjoy spicy food, which was truly frustrating.

Although Chang Xile inherited the memories of his original self, he had never personally experienced many things, which left him with a sense of curiosity. For instance, regarding the fire pit, he had only seen it in pictures or on television and had never actually gathered around it for a meal. He always found it quite interesting. However, upon truly trying it, he discovered that it was not as wonderful as he had imagined, as it burned firewood, which inevitably produced a strong smell of smoke, especially when sitting in the direction of the wind, where the smoke was so thick that it was hard to open his eyes. Moreover, the grass stools were very low, making him feel hunched over while sitting on them, as if his stomach were being pressed against something while eating. He only realized that the experience was not as delightful as he had envisioned after actually trying it, due to the heavy smoke from the burning firewood, particularly when seated in the wind's direction, where the smoke was so intense that it was difficult to keep his eyes open. Additionally, the grass stools were quite low, causing him to feel compressed while sitting, as if his stomach were being pushed up while eating.

Old Master Chang waved his hand, his tone revealing impatience, "Eat, eat! It is better to save your strength for eating than to waste it on talking."